Dispersal

Dispersal

Description

Habitat fragmentation and global climate change are the two major environmental threats to the persistence of species and ecosystems. The probability of a species surviving such changes is strongly dependent on its ability to track shifts in the environmental, either by moving between patches of habitat or by rapidly adapting to local condition. These 'solutions' to problems posed by environmental change depend on dispersal propensity, motivating our desire to better understand this important behavior. This book is a comprehensive overview of the new developments in the study of dispersal and the state-of-the-art research on the evolution of this trait. The causes, mechanisms, and consequences of dispersal at the individual, population, and species levels are
considered. The promise of new techniques and models for studying dispersal, drawn from molecular biology and demography is explored. Perspectives on the study of dispersal are offered from evolution, conservation biology, and genetics. Throughout the book, theoretical approaches are combined with empirical data, and examples are included from as wide a range of species as possible.

Dispersal

Reviews and Awards

"The ability of species to migrate and disperse is a trait that has interested ecologists for many years. This work provides an overview of the study of dispersal and incorporates much of the latest research in the field. It considers the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of dispersal at the individual, population, species, and community levels, and explores the potential of new techniques and models for studying dispersal, drawn from molecular biology and demography. Theoretical approaches are combined with empirical data, and examples are given from a wide range of species. Clobert is affiliated with the Universite Pierre et Marie Curie."--SciTech Book News

"The ability of species to migrate and disperse is a trait that has interested ecologists for many years. Now that so many species and ecosystems face major environmental threats from habitat fragmentation and global climate change, the ability of species to adapt to these changes by dispersing, migrating, or moving between different patches of habitat can be crucial to ensuring their survival. This book provides a timely and wide-ranging overview of the study of dispersal and incorporates much of the latest research. The causes, mechanisms, and consequences of dispersal at the individual, population, species and community levels are considered. ... Perspectives and insights are offered from the fields of evolution, conservation biology and genetics. Throughout the book,
theoretical approaches are combined with empirical data, and care has been taken to include examples from as wide a range of species as possible."--Ethology, Ecology, Evolution

"[A]nyone interested in the population biology or genetic consequences of dispersal should have a copy nearby for reference. ... Dispersal covers a lot of ground ..."--Ecology